Home-Based Care Practices and Experiences Influencing Health-Seeking Behaviour among Caregivers of Children Diagnosed with Pneumonia in Endebess Sub-County, Kenya

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Abstract/Overview

Background Pneumonia continues to be the second leading cause of both morbidity and mortality in children under five years in Kenya. In part, the high burden of the disease arises from delay and inappropriate health-seeking by caregivers. Caregivers delay seeking care at health facilities due to the administration of home-based remedies. Some home remedies may lead to a prolonged hospital stay and, in many cases, result in death. However, little is known about the home-based care practices for pneumonia. This study sought to examine predictors of home-based care practices and pneumonia experiences that influence health-seeking behaviour in Endebess Sub-County, Kenya. Methods A cross-sectional study involving 273 caregivers accompanied by the qualitative study in the 24 health personnel was conducted from May to August, 2019. Questionnaires and key informant interview guides were used to collect data. Simple random sampling was used to select caregivers visiting the seven public health facilities in the sub-county. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS Version 22 at a statistical significance of P≤0.05, whereas qualitative data were analysed by searching for emerging themes on home-based care practices and experiences shared by caregivers. Results Timely health-seeking behaviour was associated with available home care remedies (P=0.035) and knowledge of pneumonia symptoms (P

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